Office of Global Citizenship

Fellowships & Scholarships

International Fellowships (for BEFORE graduation)

Undergraduate fellowships/scholarships specifically designed to support certain forms of study abroad include the Boren and the Gilman awards. Students interested in these awards should be aware that they are competitive and are also defined in such a way that understanding the awards, to whom they are likely to be granted, and what stipulations are in place for the awards is important before a student initiates an application. Guidance from the institutional representative (see below) is critical, from an early point, so interested students should be in direct contact as soon as possible after their initial interest is realized. Institutional endorsement is required, and there may be a limit on how many students can have the institutional endorsement so early planning is necessary for that and also so that the institutional representative can have sufficient time to review what is allowed and to provide feedback of a nature and in a time frame that is meaningful.

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS. The Gilman Scholarship program, established in 2001, “is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Department of State” and facilitates study abroad or interning abroad for programs worldwide for U. S. citizen undergraduates who are already receiving Federal Pell grants. The stated goal of the program is to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad “and the countries and regions where they go.” There is a preference for non-traditional locations. In addition, there are “critical need languages” awards for those who will be studying Arabic, Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, Turkic (see list), Persian (see list), Indic (see list), Korean, Russian, or Swahili.

BOREN SCHOLARSHIPS. These undergraduate awards should NOT to be confused with postgraduate Boren awards. From the website we learn:

“Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.”

“Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili.” Consult the website for a complete list of languages.

“Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Applicants should identify how their study abroad program, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined. NSEP draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.”

Any applicant considering applying should be aware that in exchange for scholarship funding, all Boren Scholars must agree to the NSEP Service Requirement to provide a period of Government Service after studying abroad.

Guidance/help from the institutional representative pictured for each award is critical, from an early point, so interested students should be in direct contact with the appropriate one(s) as soon as their interest is realized. Abiding by deadlines is essential.

If a review of materials is allowed, the representative must have sufficient time to review what he or she can and to provide feedback in a time frame and of a nature that is meaningful.

Institutional endorsement is required for virtually all of these, so students need to plan carefully with the idea in mind that they must work to obtain that endorsement and that the endorsing institution (Sewanee) may be limited in terms of the number of applications which can be endorsed.

Not to be confused with undergraduate Boren awards, the David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships (funded by the National Security Education Program or NSEP) allow U. S. graduate students to “add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency in world regions that are critical to U. S. national security”. Often students apply after they are already enrolled in graduate study; however, graduating seniors who have selected a graduate program and have applied for admission to it may apply for one of these awards. The website below gives a list of relevant countries and languages. There is a work obligation after completion of graduate studies. For more information: Boren Fellowships

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellows is an opportunity for individuals who have graduated from college within the past academic year (and have not started graduate studies) to work as research assistants to the Endowment’s senior associates. Although there are no restrictions with regards to major, applicants should have a significant amount of coursework in the area of international affairs or economics. U. S. citizenship is not required, but applicants must be eligible to accept employment in the U. S. Sewanee is one of the institutions allowed to nominate.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs. A candidate must submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S.

During their grants, Fulbrighters meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences. The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, home, and in routine tasks, allowing the grantee to gain an appreciation of others’ viewpoints and beliefs, the way they do things, and the way they think. Through engagement in the community, the individual interacts with hosts on a one-to-one basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom, thereby promoting mutual understanding.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are prestigious, highly competitive full-cost scholarships. They are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK (not just the U.S.) to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.

These awards allow one academic year of postgraduate student in any discipline offered by institutions of higher education in Ireland and Northern Ireland. For more information: The George J. Mitchell Scholarship

These awards provide opportunities for the most promising post-graduate students “to undertake international, collaborative four-year Ph.D. training in both a U.K./Republic of Ireland academic institution and the intramural campus of the NIH at Bethesda”. Program management is through the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program, students are free to select labs at any academic institution in the U.K. or the Republic of Ireland. For more information: NIH-Wellcome Trust

Princeton in Asia (PiA) fosters mutual appreciation and cultural understanding by connecting service-minded graduates and partner organizations in Asia through immersive work experiences that transform perspectives, cultivate long-lasting relationships and benefit local and global communities. Founded in 1898, PiA is one of the oldest not-for-profit organizations of its kind, unique in its scope, size, century-long expertise and emphasis on service. PiA has partners in 19 countries, with locations ranging from developed, leading Asian economies such as Singapore, to emerging frontiers such as Myanmar. For the 2016-2017 academic year, PiA expects to offer 130 yearlong fellowships in the fields of access to education, environmental sustainability, public health, economic development, social justice and access to information. We have an incredibly active group of fellows and alumni who, inspired by their yearlong PiA experience, maintain a lifetime commitment to Asia and to PiA.

PiA is open to graduates of all colleges and Universities and requires no prior Asian experience or language skills. If you feel like adventure is in store for you next year, take the plunge -- you won’t regret it.

“The College of William and Mary established the Pamela Harriman Foreign Service Fellowships in 2000 to inspire the best of a new generation to pursue careers in public service. The Awards are offered annually to three outstanding undergraduates from across the nation, chosen from students serving in a summer professional position with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC, and the U.S. Embassies in London and Paris.” Applicants must be U. S. citizens who are--at the time of application--either college juniors or seniors. They must show evidence of intent to continue education beyond graduation. For more information: Pamela Harriman Foreign Service

Rhodes Scholarships cover the costs for those chosen young Americans of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service to engage in postgraduate study at Oxford University, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. For more information: Sewanee's Rhodes Scholars & Oxford and the Rhodes Scholarships ‌

Rotary Foundation Global Grants fund graduate-level coursework or research or its equivalent for a term of one to four academic years. Funding is for six areas: Peace and conflict prevention/resolution, Disease prevention and treatment, Water and sanitation, Maternal and child health, Basic education and literacy, and Economic and community development. Study can be in any country. (Note: The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship program ended in 2012-2013.) For more information: Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Granats for Development

The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $15,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world (so this may be for work in the U.S. or abroad). The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for one year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career. For more information: The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award

Inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship, Schwarzman Scholars is a highly selective international scholarship program designed to prepare future leaders for success in a world where China plays a key global role. With its first funding for June 2016, the program will give “the world’s best and brightest students” the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through a fully-funded one-year Master’s Degree at Tsinghua University—on of China’s most prestigious universities.” The Schwarzman Scholars program seeks individuals who will be “leaders in business, politics, and civil society.” For more information: Schwarzman Scholars

The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship is a one-year grant for “purposeful, independent study outside the United States, awarded to graduating seniors nominated by one of 40 partner colleges”. The Foundation offers a substantial stipend ($30,000 in 2015) to allow graduating seniors to travel the globe and pursue a project entirely of their own design. The project must be constructed such that the Fellow is outside the U.S. for an entire 12 months. For more information: Thomas J. Watson Fellowship